Fact Check: Leppert’s ‘Empty Suits’

Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert says this ad will be running not only statewide on cable but on broadcast networks in major Texas media markets. Like his previous ad, it’s meant to position him as the businesman-candidate, dismissing his foes as “a government lawyer, a career politician backed by lobbyists and a sportscaster.” He also says he has balanced budgets and cut wasteful spending.

“You can’t blame Tom Leppert for trying. Tom Leppert is probably just using the same kind of creative math that got him into trouble when he raised property taxes and ran up Dallas debt,” said Dewhurst spokesman Enrique Marquez.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Leppert voted for about a 1 cent tax rate increase in 2007. He also pushed a Dallas Convention Center hotel that drew controversy.

Leppert’s campaign highlights his time as chief executive officer of Turner Corp., saying the general building company’s revenue more than doubled when he led it and that he helped create 2,300 jobs.

His campaign spokesman Daniel Keylin also says that Leppert and the city council in 2009 eliminated more than 1,300 civilian employee positions, cut or consolidated 8 out of the 31 city departments, and privatized the zoo, saving taxpayer money. He said city employees’ pay was reduced through furlough days and that spending on things other than public safety was cut by more than 8 percent from 2006-2007 to the 2010-2011 adopted budget.

Leppert’s ad inaccurately casts Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst as a “career politician.” Dewhurst made a fortune in the energy business as founder of Falcon Seaboard.

The ad also refers to Cruz as “a government lawyer,” but his legal experience also includes private practice.

The ad suggests Dewhurst is “backed by lobbyists.” According to Texans for Public Justice, Dewhurst raised a total of $59.5 million between January 2000 and Oct. 20, 2011 for his state campaign accounts – including money he himself contributed – with $1.4 million coming from lobbyists.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Dewhurst for the U.S. Senate race has raised about $5.8 million from individuals and political action committees, in addition to $2 million he has given himself.

The center’s breakdown by type of donor only goes through Dec. 31 so far, showing $63,750 from lobbyists. According to a source close to the Dewhurst campaign, $155,600, or 2.6 percent, of the total has come from lobbyists.